Entry #6: Once a Cheater always a Cheater?

Entry #6: Once a Cheater always a Cheater?

Love is always great; cynical or not, the idea is universal and ranges on a large spectrum. In the greek language, love has 7 different meanings that pertains to a specific feeling. This blog is about the love one has for a significant other, and the issue infidelity causes to change the feeling entirely. When being betrayed or betraying, can change occur or does the old saying stick true: "Once a cheater always a cheater?". 

For better understanding of this context, what exactly counts as cheating? Some would say having a whole other secret relationship, while others think liking a certain photo of another person counts as being unfaithful. Biblically, a single inappropriate thought counts as being unfaithful, so what can we go based off of to protect the values and commitment of a relationship? 

By definition a cheater is: "a person who acts dishonestly in order to gain an advantage.", this applies to all aspects of life; and although vague, it is still true. Why would a person step out on a marriage or relationship; to gain dishonestly what they don't feel they have. Can this be changed? YES! In American alone, 99% of people believe their partner has; in some way, cheated on the relationship. Extremely high; but only 60% admitted to actually doing so. Men were 56% of those who admitted to cheating and women were 34%. When you read the title of this blog did you automatically assume this was going to address men? NO JUDGMENT! From media to TV when conflict hits a relationship, the man is betrayed to be a cheater and it is always with his assistant. 

With all this in mind, I'm not in anyway near trained as an expert nor do I have credentials to try and pin point why infidelity affects almost all Americans (99%). This is a cultural issue and has reasoning behind the madness, studies show for men it is majority a physical issue while for women it is emotional. This doesn't excuse people from having to not suffer from their consequences, but why they choose to do so. Even if it is a social taboo to do so, can they be helped? YES! This post isn't to cure but to address the idea that people need to be held accountable, and helped. Don't write off a person as hopeless, whether it is a partner or relative, a "cheater" can be redeemed and shouldn't have a label to hold them back from doing so. With proper understanding and context, a person can change.

This is in no way, shape, or form condoning infidelity, or to misuse the trust of a partner, because of "forgiveness". Forgiveness is given once in thought of only having to be once. This isn't a get of jail card, or to have an excuse to be suspicious of a male partner. In recent years infidelity has almost become a fear/norm, from everyday people to celebrities. Cheating is shocking yet common. It's sad that if we continue to be accepting of this, the values and commitments of a relationship will be tarnished and non-existent. Stay tuned for more in the future!